EP3543205B1 - Füllventil, füllmaschine und verfahren zum füllen von behältern - Google Patents

Füllventil, füllmaschine und verfahren zum füllen von behältern Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3543205B1
EP3543205B1 EP18305307.3A EP18305307A EP3543205B1 EP 3543205 B1 EP3543205 B1 EP 3543205B1 EP 18305307 A EP18305307 A EP 18305307A EP 3543205 B1 EP3543205 B1 EP 3543205B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flow channel
closing member
shutter
opening
filling
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EP18305307.3A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3543205A1 (de
Inventor
Stefano d'Errico
Filippo Bandini
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Sidel Participations SAS
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Sidel Participations SAS
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Priority to EP18305307.3A priority Critical patent/EP3543205B1/de
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B67C3/286—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves related to flow rate control, i.e. controlling slow and fast filling phases

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling valve for a filling machine configured to fill receptacles, in particular bottles, with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as water, carbonated beverages, or the like.
  • the present invention also relates to a filling machine comprising a plurality of filling valves for filling receptacles, in particular bottles, with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for filling receptacles, in particular bottles, with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
  • Rotary-type filling machines are known to comprise a carousel rotatable around a vertical axis, a reservoir containing the pourable product and a plurality of filling valves.
  • such filling valves are peripherally carried by the carousel, are connected to the reservoir by means of respective ducts and are advanced by the carousel along a circumferential transfer path.
  • Each filling valve is configured to feed a predetermined volume of pourable product into one respective receptacle at a time, while being advanced along the transfer path due to the rotary motion imparted by the carousel.
  • a typical filling machine also comprises an inlet conveyor for feeding a succession of empty receptacles to the carousel and an outlet conveyor receiving the filled receptacles from the carousel and configured to feed the filled receptacles to further treatment devices.
  • a typical filling valve comprises:
  • the flow channel has a longitudinal axis parallel to the carousel axis and terminates, at a lower end portion, with an axial outlet opening configured to allow, in use, the outflow of the pourable product and the filling of the respective receptacle to be filled.
  • the flow channel comprises a tapered-section portion narrowing in the direction of the outlet opening, up to a minimum-diameter section.
  • the shutter is movable inside the flow channel between:
  • the shutter is movable within the flow channel in a plurality of intermediate positions ranging between the full closing position and the full opening position.
  • the shutter delimits, together with the tapered-section portion, an annular opening passage having varying sizes in dependence of whether the shutter is controlled into the full opening position or into one of the intermediate positions.
  • the opening passage is at its maximum when the shutter is controlled into the full opening position; in the latter condition, the flow rate of the pourable product is the highest possible (maximum flow rate).
  • the shutter when the shutter is in a particular intermediate position it delimits, together with the tapered-section portion, corresponding intermediate annular opening passages with varying dimensions, so as to allow the pourable product to flow at an intermediate flow rate (lower than the maximum flow rate) towards and into the respective receptacle.
  • the shutter is controlled by magnetic actuator means.
  • Known magnetic actuator means comprise a magnetic actuator including a magnetic stator, i.e. a coil, which is arranged in a fixed position around the flow channel, and an inner core, which is made of a ferromagnetic material and is movable within the flow channel.
  • the inner core is usually included in the shutter, or the shutter itself is entirely made of ferromagnetic material and, hence, defines the inner core.
  • the magnetic stator i.e. the coil
  • the magnetic stator is configured to be magnetically coupled with the inner core, so as to control the movement of the shutter inside the flow channel, due to variations in the magnetic field produced by the electric current flowing inside the coil in one or another direction.
  • the inner core i.e. the shutter
  • the inner core is arranged in a rest position (which defines one intermediate position), usually symmetric with respect to the coil itself.
  • the shutter When the coil is energized with respective opposite electrical currents, the shutter will move along a positive partial stroke towards and into the full closing position, or along a negative partial stroke towards and into the full opening position.
  • the intermediate opening passage shrinks more and more, thereby causing a Venturi effect on an end portion of the shutter configured to engage the outlet opening.
  • the filling valve is designed such that the rest position of the modulating shutter (i.e. when the coil is not energized) is set as the full closing position.
  • the rest position of the modulating shutter i.e. when the coil is not energized
  • EP3165500A1 discloses a batcher/filling valve comprising: a tubular body defining a flowing channel for the pourable product, having a longitudinal axis and terminating with at least one narrowed end mouth; and a shutter movable within the channel between a closed position, in which the shutter closes the narrowed end mouth, and an open position, in which a gap is established between the shutter and the narrowed end mouth so as to allow free flowing of the pourable product;
  • the shutter comprises a main portion, coupled in a sliding manner with an inner surface of the tubular body, and a narrowed closing head axially protruding from the main portion and configured to cooperate in a fluid-tight manner with the narrowed end mouth in the closed position of the shutter itself;
  • the main portion of the shutter comprises a flat plate extending along one diameter of the channel, contacting the inner surface of the tubular body at its opposite sides and defining, with the remaining portions of the inner surface, two opposite cavities, which have respective profiles shaped as circular segments
  • the filling valve of EP3165500A1 has the problem of not being suited for avoiding hydrodynamic instabilities without any impact on precision in control of the amount of filled product.
  • EP2915774A1 discloses a filling valve according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • number 1 indicates as a whole a filling machine for filling a plurality of receptacles 2, such as bottles, containers and the like, with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, such as non-carbonated beverages (e.g. water, fruit juices,...), carbonated beverages (e.g. sparkling water, soft drinks, beer, etc, or the like.
  • a pourable product in particular a pourable food product, such as non-carbonated beverages (e.g. water, fruit juices,%), carbonated beverages (e.g. sparkling water, soft drinks, beer,...), or the like.
  • filling machine 1 comprises:
  • each filling valve 5 is configured to feed a predetermined volume of pourable product into one respective receptacle 2 at a time, while the respective receptacle 2 is advanced along path P, in particular due to the rotary motion of carousel 3.
  • each filling valve 5 is peripherally carried by carousel 3 and is fluidly connected to reservoir 4 by means of a respective duct 6 of filling machine 1.
  • filling machine 1 further comprises an inlet conveyor, preferably a star wheel 7, adapted to feed a succession of empty receptacles 2 to carousel 3, and an outlet conveyor, preferably a star wheel 8, adapted to receive filled receptacles 2 from carousel 3.
  • inlet conveyor preferably a star wheel 7, adapted to feed a succession of empty receptacles 2 to carousel 3, and an outlet conveyor, preferably a star wheel 8, adapted to receive filled receptacles 2 from carousel 3.
  • star wheel 7 and star wheel 8 are rotatable around respective rotation axes A' and A", preferably being substantially parallel to axis A.
  • filling valves 5 are identical to one another and for the sake of brevity, only one single filling valve 5 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
  • the respective receptacle 2 is arranged, in particular during the filling operation, below filling valve 5.
  • filling valve 5 is configured to operate in the non-contact mode.
  • filling valve 5 could be configured to operate in the contact mode, i.e. in use, filling valve 5 establishes contact with a top neck portion of receptacles 2 in the area of outlet opening 18.
  • filling valve 5 comprises:
  • flow channel 11 has a substantially circular cross section and extends along a longitudinal axis B, in particular parallel to axis A.
  • flow channel 11 comprises, an (axial) inlet opening 15, fluidically connectable with the respective duct 6 and with receptacle 2.
  • flow channel 11 also comprises an engagement portion, in particular a tapered-section portion 16 narrowing in the direction of inlet opening 15, up to a minimum-diameter section defining the inlet opening 15 itself and, preferably being configured to interact at least with a portion of closing member 12.
  • Flow channel 11 further comprises an outlet opening 18 fluidically connectable to inlet opening 15 and, in use, to the respective receptacle 2.
  • Inlet opening 15 is arranged upstream of outlet opening 18 along flow direction D.
  • inlet opening 15 and outlet opening 18 are respectively arranged in the area of an upstream (upper) end portion 14 and a downstream (lower) end portion 17 of flow channel 11.
  • flow channel 11 is configured to allow the flow of the pourable product within itself along flow direction D, from inlet opening 15 to outlet opening 18.
  • flow channel 11 is delimited by a respective inner wall, in particular a tubular wall of the valve body, in particular body 10. Even more preferably, flow channel 11 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • shutter 12 is arranged downstream of inlet opening 15 and upstream of outlet opening 18, with respect to flow direction D.
  • shutter 12 inlet opening 15 and outlet opening 18 are coaxially arranged with respect to axis B.
  • Shutter 12 is configured to be controlled, in particular moved, at least between:
  • the flow rate of the pourable product from inlet opening 15 to outlet opening 18 is the highest possible (maximum flow rate).
  • the intermediate opening passages having different sizes, allow the pourable product to flow from inlet opening 15 to outlet opening 18 at respective intermediate flow rates, being lower than the maximum flow rate.
  • the pourable product flow rate is null.
  • shutter 12 is configured to operate in a modulating manner; i.e. shutter 12 is controlled between the full closing position, the intermediate opening position and the full opening position, so as to control the flow rate of the pourable product between the maximum flow rate, the intermediate flow rates, and the null flow rate.
  • shutter 12 is configured to be controlled, in particular moved, towards the full closing position in a direction against the flow direction of the pourable product within flow channel 11.
  • shutter 12 is configured to be moved, in particular through activation by actuator means 13, along axis B, in a direction away from outlet opening 18 and towards inlet opening 15 when being controlled towards the full closing position, thereby moving against flow direction D (countercurrent).
  • shutter 12 comprises a core 19 and an interaction portion 20, preferably a plunger 20, axially extending from core 19 towards inlet opening 15 and configured to engage with portion 16 of flow channel 11 when shutter 12 is in the full closing position.
  • core 19 comprises two opposite end portions 28, 29 having an external diameter substantially equal to that of flow channel 11, in particular so as to radially engage the inner wall delimiting flow channel 11 and being axially guided within flow channel 11.
  • plunger 20 carries (comprises) a sealing element 21 configured to sealingly engage portion 16 when shutter 12 is in the full closing position, thereby preventing any flow of the pourable product from inlet opening 15 towards outlet opening 18.
  • actuator means 13 are of the magnetic type.
  • actuator means 13 comprise a driving magnetic assembly 22, arranged externally around flow channel 11, and a driven magnetic assembly 23, arranged within flow channel 11 and comprised in at least a portion of shutter 12, in particular in at least a portion of core 19, and preferably being made of a ferromagnetic material.
  • shutter 12, in particular core 19 is entirely made in ferromagnetic material, thereby entirely defining assembly 23.
  • assembly 23 could comprise a permanent magnet included within shutter 12, in particular within core 19.
  • Assembly 22 is configured to be magnetically coupled to assembly 23, so as to control the movement of shutter 12 between the full opening position, the full closing position and the intermediate positions.
  • assembly 22 comprises an electrically-supplied magnetic generator, for example a coil 24, in particular arranged coaxially to axis B in a fixed position around flow channel 11, and a pair of permanent magnets 25 arranged coaxially to axis B on respective opposite axial end sides of coil 24 and having corresponding magnetic poles axially facing each other.
  • an electrically-supplied magnetic generator for example a coil 24, in particular arranged coaxially to axis B in a fixed position around flow channel 11, and a pair of permanent magnets 25 arranged coaxially to axis B on respective opposite axial end sides of coil 24 and having corresponding magnetic poles axially facing each other.
  • coil 24 presents a cylindrical-annular shape and permanent magnets 25 are arranged respectively against a first (top) and a second (bottom) annular end surface of coil 24.
  • coil 24 surrounds at least partially core 19, internally facing its external surface so as to have the lowest radial gap possible with the latter.
  • assembly 22 is configured to control the movement of shutter 12 within flow channel 11 in dependence of variations in the magnetic field produced by an electric current flowing through coil 24 in one or another direction.
  • filling machine 1 comprises a control unit 26 (only schematically shown in Figure 1 ) configured to control the flow of electric current through coil 24.
  • each filling valve 5 comprises a respective control unit for controlling the flow of electric current through the respective coil 24.
  • assembly 22 is configured such that when coil 24 is not energized, i.e. no electric current flows, in use, through it, assembly 23 is not moved and shutter 12, i.e. core 19, is arranged in a rest position, which defines one respective intermediate position, as shown in Figure 2 .
  • assembly 22 is also configured such that:
  • shutter 12 approaches the full closing position and the size of the intermediate opening passage is reduced more and more, a Venturi effect arises, acting on plunger 20.
  • the Bernoulli forces are acting against the pressure exerted by the pourable product on plunger 20, thereby limiting, or avoiding, the hydrodynamic instabilities, and allowing a more precise and stable control of shutter 12 and a more effective use of its total available stroke within flow channel 11.
  • Filling valve 5 further comprises an auxiliary closing member, in particular an auxiliary shutter 26, arranged, in particular movably arranged, within flow channel 11 so as to control, in particular to allow or prevent, the outflow of the pourable product through outlet opening 18 and towards (into) receptacle 2.
  • auxiliary closing member in particular an auxiliary shutter 26, arranged, in particular movably arranged, within flow channel 11 so as to control, in particular to allow or prevent, the outflow of the pourable product through outlet opening 18 and towards (into) receptacle 2.
  • shutter 26 presents similar features to that of shutter 12; therefore only the distinguishing features of shutter 26 with respect to shutter 12 will be described in the following, using the same numerals for similar or equivalent parts.
  • shutter 26 is configured to be controlled, in particular moved, between:
  • shutter 26 is configured to be controlled towards the closing position in a direction following the flow direction of the pourable product within flow channel 11.
  • shutter 26 is configured to be moved, along axis B, in a direction away from inlet opening 15 and towards outlet opening 18 when being controlled towards the closing position, thereby moving into the same direction of the pourable product flow, i.e. concurrent to flow direction D.
  • shutter 26 is arranged downstream of shutter 12 and upstream of outlet opening 18 with respect to flow direction D and is configured to be controlled either into the closing position or into the opening position (without any intermediate position therebewteen).
  • shutter 26 is configured to operate in an on-off mode.
  • flow channel 11 further comprises, in particular in the area of downstream end portion 17, a further engagement portion, in particular a further tapered-section portion 27 narrowing in the direction of outlet opening 18, up to a minimum-diameter section having the same diameter of the diameter of outlet opening 18.
  • sealing element 21 of plunger 20 of shutter 26 is configured to sealingly engage portion 27 when shutter 26 is controlled in the closing position.
  • filling valve 5 further comprises auxiliary actuator means 13' of the magnetic type configured to control shutter 26 between the closing position and the opening position.
  • actuator means 13' presents similar features to that of actuator means 13; therefore only the distinguishing features of actuator means 13' with respect to actuator means 13 will be described in the following, using the same numerals for similar or equivalent parts.
  • actuator means 13' differ from actuator means 13 in controlling shutter 26, preferably in an on-off-mode.
  • the respective assembly 22 is configured to control the respective coil 24 such that:
  • plunger 20 defines, together with portion 27, an opening passage for the pourable product, through which the latter can flow towards outlet opening 18 and, eventually, receptacle 2.
  • assembly 22 comprises at least one further permanent magnet (not specifically shown) for keeping shutter 26 in the closing position without energizing coil 24. Even more preferably, assembly 22 also comprises an additional permanent magnet (not specifically shown) for keeping shutter 26 in the opening position without energizing coil 24.
  • shutter 26 ensures a strong and firm closure of outlet opening 18 when being, in use, controlled into the closing position and avoids energy consumption.
  • a single respective energy spike is required to control shutter 26 between the opening position and the closing position.
  • at least the closing position is maintained by the further permanent magnet, without any need to continuously energize coil 24.
  • the opening position is maintained by the additional permanent magnet, without any need to continuously energize coil 24.
  • filling machine 1 fills receptacles 2, in particular during advancement of receptacles 2 along path P, with the pourable product.
  • each receptacle 2 is filled with the pourable product through one respective filling valve 5.
  • filling valve 5 The operation of filling valve 5 is described hereinafter with reference to a single empty receptacle 2 to be filled and placed below one respective filling valve 5.
  • the filling of the respective receptacle 2 comprises the following steps:
  • the pourable product flows from reservoir 4 through the respective duct 6 into flow channel 11.
  • shutter 12 is controlled towards (and into) the full closing position in a direction against flow direction D.
  • the pourable product flows from inlet opening 15 through respectively the full opening passage and the intermediate opening passage into flow channel 11 and towards outlet opening 18 with shutter 12 being respectively in the full opening position and the intermediate position.
  • shutter 12 being in the full closing position, the flow of pourable product from inlet opening 15 to outlet opening 18 is interrupted.
  • the filling of the respective receptacle 2 further comprises the step of controlling the flow of the pourable product through outlet opening 18 by controlling auxiliary shutter 26 between the closing position and the opening position.
  • shutter 12 is controlled to progressively move again towards the full closing position; in this condition, the maximum flow rate progressively decreases into the various intermediate flow rates corresponding to the intermediate positions progressively occupied by shutter 12.
  • shutter 26 is controlled to immediately move into the closing position, thereby preventing any further amount of pourable product to flow through outlet opening 18. In this way, receptacle 2 can be filled with the exact desired amount of pourable product.
  • shutter 12 completes its partial positive stroke towards the full closing position.
  • shutter 12 is controlled by the respective assembly 22.
  • shutter 26 is controlled by the respective assembly 22.
  • the entire operation is repeated cyclically for each filling valve 5 and for each receptacle 2 to be filled.
  • Number 105 in Figure 3 indicates as a whole a filling valve according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • filling machine 1 could comprise a plurality of filling valves 105 instead of filling valves 5.
  • filling valve 105 is similar to filling valve 5, only the differences with respect to filling valve 5 will be described, using the same numerals for similar or equivalent parts.
  • filling valve 105 differs from filling valve 5 in comprising flow channel 111 and actuator means 113.
  • flow channel 111 has a substantially circular cross section and presents a curved configuration.
  • flow channel 111 comprises a first portion 130, extending along a longitudinal, preferably vertical, axis C, and a second portion 131, extending along an inclined axis E and being fluidically connected to portion 130, in particular by means of a curved portion 132.
  • portion 130 and portion 131 are inclined with respect to one another.
  • axis C and axis E may be oriented with respect to one another in any manner according to needs.
  • the axes C and E form an angle comprised between 90° and 180°, and curved portion 132 is arranged downstream of portion 131 and upstream of portion 130, with respect to flow direction D.
  • axes C and E may be arranged on a common (vertical) axis to minimize friction and wear.
  • portion 130 carries inlet opening 15 and portion 131 carries outlet opening 18.
  • actuator means 113 comprise a driving magnetic assembly 122, arranged externally around flow channel 111, and a driven magnetic assembly 123.
  • driving magnetic assembly 122 and driven magnetic assembly 123 are similar to respectively assembly 22 and assembly 23, only the differences with respect to respectively assembly 22 and assembly 23 will be described, using the same numerals for similar or equivalent parts.
  • assembly 122 comprises a first permanent magnet 133 arranged around inclined portion 131 of flow channel 111 and configured to move parallel to axis E by means of a linear actuator, such as a voice coil or a stepper motor 134, this latter being preferably arranged above inlet opening 15.
  • a linear actuator such as a voice coil or a stepper motor 134
  • assembly 122 further comprises a pair of second permanent magnets 125 arranged externally around portion 131 of flow channel 111 on respective opposite axial sides of first permanent magnet 133 and having corresponding magnetic poles axially facing each other.
  • permanent magnet 133 surrounds at least partially core 19 of shutter 12, facing its external surface so as to have the lowest radial gap possible with the latter.
  • assembly 123 comprises at least one third permanent magnet 135, two in the preferred non-limiting shown in Figure 3 , included in (in particular, being comprised in) core 19 of shutter 12 and configured to magnetically couple to permanent magnet 133.
  • plunger 20 engages portion 16 thereby preventing any flow of pourable product inside flow channel 111 (null flow rate).
  • shutter 12 is controlled into the respective rest position (i.e. one intermediate position). This allows to reduce the overall energy consumption as no energy is needed to maintain shutter 12 in the respective rest position, thereby reducing energy consumption.
  • plunger 20 When shutter 12 is controlled into the full opening position, plunger 20 defines, together with portion 16, a full opening passage, thereby allowing a maximum flow rate of pourable product to flow towards outlet opening 18; when shutter 12 is controlled into one of the intermediate positions, plunger 20 defines, together with portion 16, an intermediate opening passage, thereby allowing a corresponding intermediate flow rate of pourable product inside flow channel 111.
  • Filling valve 105 further differs from filling valve 5 in that the respective shutter 26 is controlled by respective actuator means 113, in particular the respective assembly 122 and the respective assembly 123.
  • the respective shutter 26 of filling valve 105 is arranged within portion 130 of flow channel 111, hence in a position downstream of shutter 12 and upstream of the respective outlet opening 18, and configured to be controlled by actuator means 113 in an on-off manner, i.e. shutter 26 is configured to be controlled between the respective closing position and the respective opening position.
  • the respective actuator means 113 controlling the respective shutter 26 are similar to the respective actuator means 113 controlling the respective shutter 12, with the only difference that they are configured to control shutter 26 in an on-off manner, i.e. between the closing position, in which the respective plunger 20 of shutter26 prevents the pourable product to flow through outlet opening 18, and the opening position, in which the product can flow through outlet opening 18.
  • the respective actuator means 113 controlling the respective shutter 26 are arranged in the area of portion 130.
  • filling valve 105 Since the operation of filling valve 105 is similar to that of filling valve 5, only the distinguishing features of the operation of filling valve 105 with respect to the operation of filling valve 5 will be described in the following.
  • the movement of shutter 12 within portion 131 of flow channel 111 is controlled by means of the magnetic interaction between permanent magnets 133, 125 and 135.
  • control of shutter 26 is similar to control of shutter 12 with the difference that shutter 26 is controlled by the respective actuator means 113.
  • the Bernoulli forces are acting against the pressure exerted by the pourable product on the respective plungers 20, thereby limiting, or avoiding, the hydrodynamic instabilities, and allowing a more precise and stable modulation of shutters 12 and a more effective use of their total available stroke within the respective flow channel 11 or 111.
  • shutters 26 are controlled in an on-off manner, they ensure a strong and firm closure of the respective outlet openings 18 thereby avoiding any further energy consumption. In fact, they only use a respective single energy spike to move between the relative opening and closing positions.
  • shutters 26 can be immediately controlled to move into their closing positions. This allows to precisely control the amount of the pourable product filled into the respective receptacle 2.
  • filling valve 5 could be designed such that flow channel 11 could comprise two portions being inclined with one another similar to what is disclosed with respect to filling valve 105.
  • filling valve 5 could comprise actuator means 113 replacing the respective actuator means 13 controlling shutter 26 or shutter 12.
  • filling valve 5 could comprise actuator means 113 instead of actuator means 13 (i.e. both actuator means 13 are replaced by respective actuator means 113).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Füllventil (5; 105) für eine Füllmaschine (1), ausgelegt zum Füllen eines Behälters (2) mit einem fließfähigen Produkt; wobei das Füllventil (5; 105) einen Fließkanal (11; 111) mit einer Einlassöffnung (15) zum Aufnehmen des fließfähigen Produkts und einer Auslassöffnung (18) zum Zuführen des fließfähigen Produkts in den Behälter (2) umfasst;
    wobei das Füllventil (5; 105) ein Schließelement (12) umfasst, das innerhalb des Fließkanals (11; 111) angeordnet ist und dazu ausgelegt ist, gesteuert zu werden zumindest zwischen:
    - einer vollen Schließposition, in der das Schließelement (12) ausgelegt ist zum Verhindern einer Fluidverbindung zwischen der Einlassöffnung (15) und der Auslassöffnung (18);
    - einer vollen Öffnungsposition, in der das Schließelement (12) ausgelegt ist zum Ermöglichen der Fluidverbindung zwischen der Einlassöffnung (15) und der Auslassöffnung (18) durch einen vollen Öffnungsdurchgang zum Ermöglichen, dass das fließfähige Produkt in eine Fließrichtung (D) von der Einlassöffnung (15) durch den vollen Öffnungsdurchgang zur Auslassöffnung (18) fließt; und
    - zumindest einer Zwischenposition, die einen entsprechenden mittleren Öffnungsdurchgang für das fließfähige Produkt definiert, um dem fließfähigen Produkt zu ermöglichen, entlang der Fließrichtung (D) von der Einlassöffnung (15) durch den mittleren Öffnungsdurchgang zur Auslassöffnung (18) zu fließen;
    wobei das Schließelement (12) dazu ausgelegt ist, hin zur vollen Schließposition in eine Richtung gegen die Fließrichtung (D) des fließfähigen Produkts innerhalb des Fließkanals (11; 111) gesteuert zu werden;
    wobei das Schließelement (12) bezüglich der Fließrichtung (D) stromabwärts der Einlassöffnung (15) angeordnet ist; wobei das Füllventil (5, 105) ferner ein zusätzliches Schließelement (26) umfasst, das innerhalb des Fließkanals (11; 111) angeordnet ist und dazu ausgelegt ist, gesteuert zu werden zwischen:
    - einer Schließposition, in der das zusätzliche Schließelement (26) ausgelegt ist zum Verhindern des Flusses des fließfähigen Produkts aus dem Fließkanal (11; 111) in den Behälter (2); und
    - einer Öffnungsposition, in der das zusätzliche Schließelement (26) ausgelegt ist zum Ermöglichen des Flusses des fließfähigen Produkts aus dem Fließkanal (11; 111) in den Behälter (2);
    wobei das zusätzliche Schließelement (26) bezüglich der Fließrichtung (D) stromabwärts des Schließelements (12) angeordnet ist;
    wobei das zusätzliche Schließelement dazu ausgelegt ist, hin zur Schließposition in eine Richtung folgend der Fließrichtung des fließfähigen Produkts innerhalb des Fließkanals (11) gesteuert zu werden;
    wobei das Schließelement (12) einen Kern (19) und einen Kolben (20), der sich axial vom Kern (19) hin zur Einlassöffnung (15) erstreckt und ausgelegt ist zum Ineingriffkommen mit einem Teil (16) des Fließkanals (11), wenn der Verschluss (12) in der vollen Schließposition ist, umfasst;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
    der Kern (19) zwei einander gegenüberliegende Endteile (28, 29) mit einem Außendurchmesser umfasst, der im Wesentlichen gleich dem des Fließkanals (11) ist, um radial in die Innenwand einzugreifen, die den Fließkanal (11) begrenzt, und axial innerhalb des Fließkanals (11) geführt wird;
    das Füllventil magnetische Betätigungsmittel (13; 113) umfasst, ausgelegt zum Steuern des Schließelements (12) zwischen der vollen Öffnungsposition, der vollen Schließposition und der zumindest einen Zwischenposition.
  2. Füllventil nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Schließelement (12) ausgelegt ist zum Arbeiten in einer modulierenden Weise.
  3. Füllventil nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Schließelement (12) einen Wechselwirkungsteil (20) umfasst, der ausgelegt ist zum Ineingriffkommen mit einem Eingriffsteil (16) des Fließkanals (11; 111), wenn das Schließelement (12) in der vollen Schließposition ist.
  4. Füllventil nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die magnetischen Betätigungsmittel (13; 113) eine antreibende magnetische Anordnung (22; 122), die extern um den Fließkanal (11; 111) angeordnet ist, und eine angetriebene magnetische Anordnung (23; 123), die innerhalb des Fließkanals (11; 111) angeordnet ist und in zumindest einem Teil des Schließelements (12) enthalten ist, umfassen; wobei die antreibende magnetische Anordnung (22; 122) dazu ausgelegt ist, magnetisch mit der angetriebenen magnetischen Anordnung (23; 123) gekoppelt zu werden, um das Schließelement (12) zwischen der vollen Öffnungsposition, der vollen Schließposition und der zumindest einen Zwischenposition zu steuern.
  5. Füllventil nach Anspruch 4, wobei sich der Fließkanal (11) zumindest teilweise entlang einer Längsachse (B) erstreckt; wobei die antreibende magnetische Anordnung (22) zumindest einen elektrisch versorgten magnetischen Generator (24), der koaxial zur Achse (B) angeordnet ist, und ein Paar Permanentmagneten (25), die koaxial zur Achse (B) an entsprechenden gegenüberliegenden axialen Seiten des magnetischen Generators (24) angeordnet sind und entsprechende axial zueinander zeigende Pole aufweisen, umfasst;
    wobei die angetriebene magnetische Anordnung (23) das Schließelement (12) integral definiert;
    wobei die Einlassöffnung (15), die Auslassöffnung (18) und das Schließelement (12) koaxial zur Achse (B) sind.
  6. Füllventil nach Anspruch 4, wobei die antreibende magnetische Anordnung (122) einen ersten Permanentmagneten (133) umfasst, der um zumindest einen Teil (131) des Fließkanals (111) angeordnet ist und dazu ausgelegt ist, sich mittels eines linearen Aktuators (134) parallel zu dem Fließkanal (111) zu bewegen; wobei die antreibende magnetische Anordnung (122) ferner ein Paar zweite Permanentmagneten (125) umfasst, die extern um den Fließkanal (111) auf entsprechenden einander gegenüberliegenden Seiten des ersten Permanentmagneten (133) angeordnet sind, bezüglich der Fließrichtung (D), und die entsprechende axial zueinander zeigende Pole aufweisen, bezüglich der Fließrichtung (D); wobei die angetriebene magnetische Anordnung (123) zumindest einen dritten Permanentmagneten (135) umfasst, der in dem Schließelement (12) enthalten ist.
  7. Füllventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, ferner umfassend zusätzliche magnetische Betätigungsmittel (13'; 113), ausgelegt zum Steuern des zusätzlichen Schließelements (26) zwischen der Öffnungsposition und der Schließposition; wobei die zusätzlichen magnetischen Betätigungsmittel (13'; 113) eine zusätzliche antreibende magnetische Anordnung (22; 122), die extern um den Fließkanal (11; 111) angeordnet ist, und eine zusätzliche angetriebene magnetische Anordnung (23; 123), die innerhalb des Fließkanals (11; 111) angeordnet ist und in zumindest einem Teil des Schließelements (26) enthalten ist, umfassen; wobei die zusätzliche antreibende magnetische Anordnung (22; 122) dazu ausgelegt sind, magnetisch mit der angetriebenen magnetischen Anordnung (23; 123) gekoppelt zu werden, um das Schließelement (12) zwischen der vollen Öffnungsposition, der vollen Schließposition und der zumindest einen Zwischenposition zu steuern.
  8. Füllmaschine (1) zum Füllen von mehreren Behältern (2) mit einem fließfähigen Produkt; wobei die Füllmaschine (2) mehrere Füllventile (5; 105) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche umfasst.
  9. Füllmaschine nach Anspruch 8, ferner umfassend ein Karussell (3), drehbar um eine mittlere Achse (A), das dazu angepasst ist, die Behälter (2) entlang eines Weiterbewegungspfades weiterzubewegen und das peripher die mehreren Füllventile (5; 105) trägt;
    wobei jedes der mehreren Füllventile (5; 105) dazu ausgelegt ist, einen entsprechenden Behälter (2) zu einem Zeitpunkt während seiner Weiterbewegung entlang des Weiterbewegungspfades zu füllen.
EP18305307.3A 2018-03-20 2018-03-20 Füllventil, füllmaschine und verfahren zum füllen von behältern Active EP3543205B1 (de)

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US11970382B2 (en) * 2019-12-19 2024-04-30 Sidel Participations Filling device configured to fill articles with a pourable product
IT202000014800A1 (it) * 2020-06-19 2021-12-19 Gea Procomac Spa Dispositivo di riempimento di un recipiente
WO2024041801A1 (en) 2022-08-23 2024-02-29 Sidel Participations Filling device with a valve comprising a magnetic shutter
WO2024056234A1 (en) * 2022-09-13 2024-03-21 Sidel Participations Cleaning system for a filling valve and respective method

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EP2915774A1 (de) * 2014-03-06 2015-09-09 Krones AG Füllorgan zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts in einen Behälter

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CN101941665A (zh) * 2010-09-30 2011-01-12 江苏星A包装机械集团有限公司 双流速抑沫灌装阀
ITTO20110935A1 (it) * 2011-10-18 2013-04-19 Sidel Spa Con Socio Unico Organo selettore di portata ad azionamento magnetico, organo regolatore di portata e macchina riempitrice
DE102014118094A1 (de) * 2014-12-08 2016-06-09 Krones Ag Füllventil zum Befüllen eines zu befüllenden Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt
EP3165500A1 (de) * 2015-11-06 2017-05-10 Sidel Participations Durchflussregelventil für eine füllmaschine

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EP2915774A1 (de) * 2014-03-06 2015-09-09 Krones AG Füllorgan zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts in einen Behälter

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